A NINE-YEAR-OLD Hereford boy has been praised for helping to alert the Environment Agency after spotting dead fish in a brook.

Jacob Jones was out fishing on the Lugg Meadows with his aunt Babs Reynolds, of Tupsley, when he came across the sad sight.

After alerting the agency using its emergency number, an official from Welsh Water arrived to take samples from the brook and confirmed there was evidence of contamination.

Martin Watkins, agency spokesman, said: "We appreciate it when the public lets us know of such occurrences, because unfortunately we cannot be everywhere all the time.

"It is good that they spotted the pollution and alerted us promptly, suitable measures have now been taken.

"Although they were small fish - sticklebacks and minnows - it showed there was a problem with the water."

Anyone who comes across a suspected sewage leak or any other signs of pollution, can contact the Environment Agency's emergency number on 0800 80 70 60.